Recommendation:
DENR and the Army Corps of Engineers should increase state and federal enforcement of existing wetlands regulations
and should use aerial compliance monitoring.
Result:
The Division of Coastal Management has been mapping wetlands in coastal areas by type and has produced
functional assessment and potential restoration site maps. These maps will help protect freshwater wetlands by
identifying the most functionally significant ones that should be protected from development. The Division of Coastal
Management also conducts aerial compliance monitoring about every six to eight weeks.
Recommendation:
The Division of Coastal Management should improve coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers to expand the
review of wetland permits, reduce regulatory overlap, accelerate permit issuance and provide additional protection
for wetlands.
Result:
The Division of Coastal Management has worked with the Division of Water Quality and the Army Corps of Engineers
to streamline the multi-agency permit review process. This has allowed permits to be issued in a more timely manner.
Recommendation:
The state should enact a freshwater wetland statute that offers incentives for private landowner conservation of these areas.
Result:
The state Conservation Tax Credit Program now allows the donation of fresh and saltwater wetlands.
WETLANDS RESTORATION AND MITIGATION
Current mitigation and restoration efforts are insufficient to restore wetland functioning on a regional basis.
Mitigation projects are also not targeted at regional priorities.
Recommendation:
The Division of Water Quality and the Division of Coastal Management should accelerate work to establish a state
Wetlands Enhancement, Restoration and Creation Program.
Result:
The Division of Coastal Management was instrumental in the formation of the NC Wetlands Restoration Program.
This program is an innovative, nonregulatory program that was established in 1996 by the General Assembly to
restore wetlands, streams and streamside areas throughout the state. In 1998, the Division of Coastal Management
became a member of the NC Wetlands Partnership, which has brought more than 20 governmental and non-
governmental groups together to coordinate wetland activities.
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Recommendation:
DENR and the Army Corps of Engineers should increase state and federal enforcement of existing wetlands regulations
and should use aerial compliance monitoring.
Result:
The Division of Coastal Management has been mapping wetlands in coastal areas by type and has produced
functional assessment and potential restoration site maps. These maps will help protect freshwater wetlands by
identifying the most functionally significant ones that should be protected from development. The Division of Coastal
Management also conducts aerial compliance monitoring about every six to eight weeks.
Recommendation:
The Division of Coastal Management should improve coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers to expand the
review of wetland permits, reduce regulatory overlap, accelerate permit issuance and provide additional protection
for wetlands.
Result:
The Division of Coastal Management has worked with the Division of Water Quality and the Army Corps of Engineers
to streamline the multi-agency permit review process. This has allowed permits to be issued in a more timely manner.
Recommendation:
The state should enact a freshwater wetland statute that offers incentives for private landowner conservation of these areas.
Result:
The state Conservation Tax Credit Program now allows the donation of fresh and saltwater wetlands.
WETLANDS RESTORATION AND MITIGATION
Current mitigation and restoration efforts are insufficient to restore wetland functioning on a regional basis.
Mitigation projects are also not targeted at regional priorities.
Recommendation:
The Division of Water Quality and the Division of Coastal Management should accelerate work to establish a state
Wetlands Enhancement, Restoration and Creation Program.
Result:
The Division of Coastal Management was instrumental in the formation of the NC Wetlands Restoration Program.
This program is an innovative, nonregulatory program that was established in 1996 by the General Assembly to
restore wetlands, streams and streamside areas throughout the state. In 1998, the Division of Coastal Management
became a member of the NC Wetlands Partnership, which has brought more than 20 governmental and non-
governmental groups together to coordinate wetland activities.
18